Soapsuds Hollow: Coyotes, Jacks rivalry sparks old kinship

Nov. 26, 2013

Tim Schwebach

Written by

Tim Schwebach

The gathering in Vermillion of Coyotes and Jackrabbits on Saturday Nov. 16 was epic. It had been a decade, and folks from far and near in their applicable school colors filled the Dome, the local pubs and dining establishments.

The game was sold out, but that didn't stop people. There were over 10,000 fans packed into the Dome, and it was shoulder-to-shoulder everywhere else in town, too.

This annual event allows fans to gather with friends, and with friends who are foes, and enjoy a great display of college football rivalry. The CyHawk game (Iowa vs. Iowa State's annual meeting) has nothing over the great fans of USD and SDSU, other than vast numbers.

Greg Baedke, a DRHS grad from the late 60's, lives in Vermillion, SD, with his wife, Linda. He is one of the people I bumped into on Saturday, and we were able to become reacquainted.

Greg was a good baseball player, and helped his teams win two State Championship trophies for the Dell Rapids American Legion Baseball team.

We had a great visit talking baseball, remembering Phil Anderson, and sharing Dell Rapids memories. Then, I learned that Greg's boys played some baseball, too.

Ryan and Aaron Baedke, Greg's sons, were playing one Father's Day at a game in Vermillion, where they grew up. One of the boys stepped to the plate and smacked a home run, a cherishable moment for a proud father. Not to be outdone, his brother then stepped to the plate and also clobbered one over the fence. Back-to-back home runs.

"That was a fun game to call, remarked "Mojo" Reiser, the public address announcer at that game. "Quite a Father's Day gift!"